Alexander "Colonel" Ferson, Pitcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This is a baseball card from the Old Judge series, produced by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century, featuring Alexander "Colonel" Ferson. The sepia tone, typical of early photography, creates a sense of nostalgia, drawing us into a past era. The composition is divided into distinct horizontal layers: the stark contrast of the player against a gradient background, grounding him in the foreground and emphasizing his figure. The image is structured around diagonal lines, from the player’s outstretched arm holding the baseball to the opposite grounded leg, creating a dynamic tension within the rectangular frame. The limited color palette and the use of light and shadow sculpt Ferson's form, highlighting the texture of his uniform and the focused intensity of his pose. The card functions as both portraiture and advertising, merging the celebration of athleticism with commercial enterprise. The name of the cigarette factory is printed below the baseball player's name, thus reminding us of how cultural values can converge in unexpected ways.